[TROUTMAN48]

Hi, I have a 1991 LX 4 cylinder 5 speed that's a blast to drive and I'm doing a 5 lug conversion on it. I'm working on the front and I want to run the 05-07 type of wheels. I was going to just change over to ranger rotors but they don't work when running the late model wheels.
(trust me on this I tried it ) So,,, I have ordered a set of 94 spindles with all the brake hardware and rotors. From what information I have red so far The lower ball joints are a little different and it's said that I will need to ether need to use a washer under the lower ball joint nut (the stud is to long) or replace the ball joint with a 94- up ball joint.
I'm not real keen on the idea using a washer under the nut and also I am concerned about how well the taper on the 94 ball joint stud fits the stud hole in the 91 spinal. So I went to autozone to look at some things and see what I might be getting into. This is what I found. I used a micrometer on the ball joints where they seat into the the lower control arm and the 94 joint was about .015 smaller than the 91. I would think that would make for a fit that might be to loose. Now in the past I have installed new ball joints that felt a little loose from heating the a arm and knocking out the old joint. For a cure to this problem I just tact welded them. Is this what needs to be done to install the late model joints into my 91 a arm? I keep getting advice from people on how to do this but when I ask them if they have actually done this change over themselves they say no,,, But that's what I have been told. Is there someone out there that has done this change over before? Also it looks like there might be a problem where the spindle bolts to the strut (different size ) can I run a set of 94 struts to cure this? Will they fit at the top end? Even if you have not done this change over any advice would be appreciated but let me know if you know from experience or if it's arm chair advice
Thanks Lee

[85MUSTANGGT]

I had to replace the ball joints when I did my conversion. I replaced mine with MOOG pieces. They have a serrated area around where it seats in the control arm and were a VERY tight fit. I actually had to rent a ball joint press from the auto parts store to get them in. I had a cheap set of ball joints before and I was able to hammer them in to the control arm. They also wore out after several thousand miles, which I found out when I took the car in for an alignment after reassembling everything from the conversion. From what I've heard the only difference between the '79-93 ball joints and the '94-04 versions is the length of the threaded part of the stud. Why would Ford change the O.D. of their ball joints by .015" between the '93 and '94 model years? Sound's more like the manufacturer's tolerance, however, it does make a difference. If you don't go with the MOOG's, I would measure them and find the set with the largest O.D. that you can find. As far as the struts, I am still running the original style with no problems. The holes at the spindle connection are the same.

[Casper 06]

What I did was buy a set of 5.0 front set of spindles and brake calipers and brake hoses and a set of rotors off a lincoln Cont. and every thing worked fine.

Thanks, Michael

[Shetland]

I used the 94 spindles and the original ball joints with washers.(At first) then went back and had a shop install the SN95 ball joints. I just feel better without the washers, plus the ball joints are new.

[jgagnon84]

I recently did this on my 84 GT T-top. I went to the parts store as you did and compared the ball joints where they press into the control arm. Using a dail caliper they were identical. went to autozone for them. Next problem, the strut. Yes the strut portion of the fox body cars is thicker than on the sn-95 cars. I did some measuring and found that the spindle is almost exactly a1/4 in. thicker. I bought some 1/8 inch flat stock at tractor supply and made spacers. match them up with the spindles and drill 5/8 holes (I had to go buy the drill bit special too.) putting a spacer on each side will keep the strut centered so it won't mess up your caster angle. Last but not least. The spot that the tie rod mounts is in a different location. You will need to either get a set of bumpsteer tie rods (bumpsteer kit) or some offset steering rack bushings. I got the rack bushings as they were cheaper and that was acceptable but looking back I think that the bumpsteer kit would be the way to go because with the stock tie rods you pretty much have to have them at the end of adjustment to get your toe alignment right. thats about it. hope it was helpful.

[navi243]

jgagnon84

was each spacer 1/8 inch thick or did you ahve to use multiple spacers on each side of the spindle to mount the strut?

also, would the swap have been possible without offset rack bushings or the bumpsteeer kit?

[89stang2.3]

Originally Posted by TROUTMAN48

Hi, I have a 1991 LX 4 cylinder 5 speed that's a blast to drive and I'm doing a 5 lug conversion on it. I'm working on the front and I want to run the 05-07 type of wheels. I was going to just change over to ranger rotors but they don't work when running the late model wheels.

Well ranger rotors really fit on a mustang?